Biologic preparation and delivery system

ABSTRACT

A medical compound preparation and delivery system, including a delivery device, the device including a depressible trigger operably coupled to move a plunger; a cartridge releasably coupled to the delivery device, the cartridge defining a lumen therethrough to receive at least a portion of the plunger therein; a receptacle defining a cavity therein for receiving a medical compound; a first tube slidably positionable within the cavity of the receptacle; and a second tube slidably positionable within the first tube, wherein the cartridge is slidably positionable within the second tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/389,246, filed Apr. 19, 2019, entitled BIOLOGIC PREPARATION ANDDELIVERY SYSTEM, the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

n/a

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for preparing andcontrollably delivering biological, pharmaceutical, and/or othertherapeutic or healing materials to a surgical site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many orthopedic procedures, bone graft material is processed anddelivered to a surgical site in order to augment the natural bone. Suchgraft material typically includes autogenous bone, allograft, xenograft,or synthetic bone graft substitutes. In many orthopedic surgicalprocedures, particularly joint replacement surgery, certain implantablecomponents must be affixed to bone. A patient's bone quality in an areawhere a prosthetic component is to be implanted must be sufficient toenable effective anchoring of the prosthesis to the bone. In suchsituations, bone graft material is used to augment the bone. In the caseof bone defects or injury, synthetic or natural bone grafts may also beimplemented to fix the defect or injury. For example, bone graftmaterials and methods are used in cavities resulting from tumor removalor significant fractures.

Bone graft procedures are also typically implemented when removingand/or replacing a previously-implanted prosthesis. In such implantrevision surgery, a previously implanted prosthesis is removed andreplaced with a new prosthesis, and bone graft is used to fill-in orotherwise augment the cavity formed by removal of the previouslyimplanted prosthesis (and any old bone cement, particulate debris,membrane, beads and other remnants associated with the prosthesis) tofacilitate secure and desired positioning and implantation of the newprosthesis.

Bone graft may be used in a wet or slurry form, or alternatively, in adry or particulate/granule form. Moreover, bone graft material mayinclude a range of irregular particle sizes. The present disclosureprovides improved systems and methods of use thereof to load and deliverbone graft of varying particulate dimensions in a timely and controlledmanner to a particular receiving location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure advantageously provides a medical compoundpreparation and delivery system, including a delivery device, the deviceincluding a depressible trigger operably coupled to move a plunger; acartridge releasably coupled to the delivery device, the cartridgedefining a lumen therethrough to receive at least a portion of theplunger therein; a receptacle defining a cavity therein for receiving amedical compound; a first tube slidably positionable within the cavityof the receptacle; and a second tube slidably positionable within thefirst tube, wherein the cartridge is slidably positionable within thesecond tube. The cavity of the receptacle may be substantiallycylindrical and/or may extend entirely through the receptacle. Thesystem may include a base removably coupled to the receptacle to cover aportion of the cavity. The cartridge may define an elongatedsubstantially tubular body. The cartridge may include an arcuate tip.The delivery device may include a ratchet mechanism engageable with theplunger. The delivery device may include a locking element configured tosecure the cartridge to the delivery device. The cavity of thereceptacle may have a volume between approximately 2 cc andapproximately 20 cc. The lumen of the cartridge may define a volumebetween approximately 2 cc and approximately 20 cc. The dispensingelement may define a groove at a distal end thereof to facilitate thecollection and/or release of gas or air from the cartridge. Thedispensing element may include a sealing element at a distal endthereof. Each of the cartridge, first tube, and second tube may define atapered end. The system may include a base that is releasably engageablewith the receptacle and/or a cap that is releasably engageable with thebase. The cap may define one or more vents therein. The system mayinclude a distal tip accessory that defines a curved spout, wherein thedistal tip accessory is releasably engageable with the delivery deviceto substantially enclose the cartridge therein.

A method of preparing a medical compound for delivery is provided,including placing a medical compound into a cavity of a receptacle;slidably positioning a first tube into the cavity such that the medicalcompound is moved into the first tube; slidably positioning a secondtube into the first tube such that the medical compound is moved intothe second tube; slidably positioning a cartridge into the second tubesuch that the medical compound is moved into the cartridge; andreleasably securing the cartridge to a delivery device, wherein thedelivery device includes a depressible trigger operably coupled to movea plunger into the cartridge to controllably dispense the medicalcompound from the cartridge. The medical compound may include bonegraft. The receptacle may include a substantially cylindrical body. Thedelivery device may include a ratchet mechanism engageable with theplunger. The delivery device may include a locking element configured tosecure the cartridge to the delivery device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example of a biologic delivery systemconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example of a medical material deliverydevice of the biologic delivery system shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is another illustration of the medical material delivery deviceshown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of a cartridge for a medicalmaterial delivery device constructed in accordance with the principlesof the present invention;

FIGS. 5 a-c are illustrations of additional examples of a cartridgeassembly for a medical material delivery device constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 a-c illustrate examples of dispensing elements of a medicalmaterial delivery device constructed in accordance with the principlesof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example of an implant preparationassembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is another illustration of components of the implant preparationassembly shown in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example of a compound preparation andpacking assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the compound preparation andpacking assembly shown in FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is another illustration of an example of a compound preparationand packing assembly constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled example of thecompound preparation and packing assembly shown in FIG. 11 ;

FIGS. 13 a-c illustrate components of an example of a compoundpreparation and packing assembly constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a compoundpreparation and packing assembly constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a closer cross-sectional view of the compound preparation andpacking assembly of FIG. 14 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides systems and methods of use thereof forpreparing and delivering or dispensing biological, pharmaceutical, orother therapeutic or medical materials. In a particular example, thesystems and methods of use described herein may include the preparationand delivery of bone graft materials or compounds to an orthopedicand/or spinal implant and/or surgical site.

Referring now to the drawing figures in which like referencedesignations refer to like elements, examples of a medical materialdelivery device 10 and an implant preparation assembly 12 and featuresand components thereof are shown in FIGS. 1-8 , while an example of acompound preparation and packing assembly 14 is illustrated in FIGS.9-15 .

Now referring to FIGS. 1-4 , the medical material delivery device 10generally includes a selectively controllable mechanism to accuratelydispense desired amounts of a prepared compound, specimen, and/or othermedical materials from a loaded, elongate cartridge 16 to an implant ortissue site. The cartridge 16 may generally include an elongated tubularbody having a proximal end 16 a and distal end 16 b, where the cartridge16 defines a cavity or lumen 18 therein where a prepared compound,specimen, and/or other medical materials are stored prior to dispensingand use. The proximal end 16 a of the cartridge 16 may include one ormore features facilitating releasable engagement or selectiveinterlocking with the device 10, which may include, for example, one ormore ridges, grooves, or other surface features. The distal end 16 b ofthe cartridge 18 may include or define a tapered wall thickness, asdescribed further herein, to facilitate loading and/or expulsion of amedical material.

The length and/or lumen diameter of the cartridge 16 may vary dependingon a particular desired use. In one example, dimensions of the cartridge16 may be sufficient to store between approximately 2 cc andapproximately 20 cc of a prepared compound. The cartridge may have alength between approximately 9 cm and approximately 50 cm, an innerdiameter between approximately 0.4 cm and approximately 0.6 cm, and mayhave an outer diameter between approximately 0.6 cm and approximately0.9 cm to facilitate navigating the cartridge into small areas orregions proximate to implants or other tissue structures. The cartridge16 may include one or more measurement or volumetric labels orindicators to assist in loading and/or dispensing a desired amount of amedical material.

The cartridge 16 may be flexible and/or malleable to take on varyingshapes or configurations to facilitate use of the device 10. Forexample, though illustrated as a substantially linear, straightenedconduit, the cartridge 16 may be arcuate along one or more portions ofits length. Varying degrees of curvature may be implemented tofacilitate entry and positioning into small surgical spaces. Inaddition, a plurality of selectable delivery conduits may be providedwith the device 10 to enable its use in a variety of different surgicalsites having varying dimensions or tortuous routes leading to regionwhere the graft or tissue material is desired. The cartridge 16 mayfurther be constructed of a transparent or translucent material to allowvisual confirmation and monitoring of graft material or other medicalcompound(s) traveling down the cartridge 16 and towards the deliveryarea. Opaque metal cartridges may be required as well when high pressurepropagation of graft material is required (i.e. dry, highly morselized,almost atomized material). In this case the cartridge may have a highpolish internal passage to mitigate frictional resistance when graftmaterial of this kind is being translated outward through the cartridge.

The device 10 may provide a directional opening or outlet to dispersematerials in a desired direction or orientation upon exiting the lumen18 of the cartridge 16. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5 a ,a distal tip accessory 19 may provide a tapered or curved openingdirecting material out of the lumen 18 in one or more pre-selecteddirections with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge 16. Thedistal tip accessory 19 may have a myriad of different shapes and sizesto deliver the biological material to a surgical site which may include,for example, one or more implanted prostheses having cavities or regionstherein for receiving the material. Particular examples of distal tipgeometry may include funneled or tapered diameter tips; a dispersionport having a rectangular or square-like cross section; and/or angledbend or directional curve forming an angle with respect to alongitudinal axis of the cartridge 16. The distal tip 19 may also besteerable through the use of one or more steering wires, cables, orother controllably deflectable mechanisms.

The distal tip accessory 19 may be coupled to the device 10 and/or thecartridge in a variety of different ways. For example, distal tipaccessory 19 may couple directly to the distal end of the cartridge 16in a cap or plug-like fashion, employing a friction fit and/or otherreleasably securable attachment mechanisms. In an alternative example,the distal tip accessory 19 may include a tapered or curvedopening/spout and an elongated body that sheaths or covers substantiallythe entire length of the exterior of the cartridge 16, and is engageabledirectly to or with other portions of the device 10 (such as the devicebody 20 and/or locking element 22, described below) as shown in FIGS. 5b -5 c.

The delivery device 10 may include a housing or device body 20 and anactuation mechanism attached to and/or contained therein to controllablydispense material from the lumen 18 of the cartridge 16. The proximalend 16 a of the cartridge 16 may releasably couple directly to thedevice body 20 to couple with and be operable with the actuationmechanism. The releasable engagement may be achieved through the matableinterlocking of one or more complimentary features on an end of thecartridge 16 and may include a locking element 22, such as a locking nutor other mechanical fastener, to sufficiently secure the cartridge 16 tothe device body 20 for subsequent use.

The actuation mechanism of the device 10 may include a dispensingelement or plunger 24 movably positioned within the delivery device 10,and controllably movable into and out of the lumen 18 of an attachedcartridge 16 for the controlled expulsion of a medical compound from thecartridge 16. The dispensing element 24 may include an elongated,flexible body or cable that is sized and/or shaped to function as aplunger within the lumen 18 of an attached cartridge 16. The dispensingelement 24 may, for example, have a cylindrical shape and/or roundedcross section substantially similar to the cross section of the lumen 18of the cartridge 16, as shown in FIG. 6 a.

Now referring to FIGS. 6 b-c , the dispensing element 24 may include oneor more features to improve upon medical compound extraction and/ordelivery processes. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 b , the dispensingelement 24 may include a groove or other cutout 24 a in the exteriorwall or diameter of the body at a distal region of the dispensingelement. This groove or cutout 24 a allows trapped gas and air to passout of the cartridge 16 or otherwise collect in the groove 24 a when thedispensing element 24 is pushing a medical material out of thecartridge. Such air pockets can form when a medical material includes awet graft or other biological material.

In an alternative example, the dispensing element 24 may include one ormore sealing elements 24 b on or about the distal tip of the dispensingelement, as shown in FIG. 6 c . The sealing element(s) 24 b on thedispensing element 24 allow the dispensing element 24 and the device 10to be used in a syringe-like manner to extract biological or medicalmaterial, such as bone marrow or other biopsies for subsequent use.

The dispensing element 24 may be coupled to the actuation mechanism suchthat manipulation or operation of the actuation mechanism results in thecontrolled movement of the dispensing element 24 towards the cartridge16. The dispensing element 24 then controllably proceeds into andthrough the lumen 18 of the cartridge 16 to move the loadedmaterials/compound out of the cartridge 16 and into the desired area.The actuation mechanism may be configured and operable to selectivelymove the dispensing element 24 from the housing or body 20 of thedelivery device 10 into the lumen of the cartridge 16 in discrete lengthincrements. For example, the actuation mechanism may include anactuation element 26 operably coupled to the device body 20. Theactuation element 26 may include, for example, a depressible trigger.The actuation mechanism may further include a ratchet assembly 28mechanically linking the actuation element 26 to the dispensing element24 for the controlled movement thereof. The dispensing element 24 mayinclude, for example, an elongate body having a plurality ofdepressions, teeth, or grooves 30 therein that matably couple to one ormore components of the ratchet assembly 28. The ratchet assembly mayinclude, for example, a spring-loaded shuttle 32 that engages thegrooves 30 of the dispensing element 24, where the shuttle 32 movesforward longitudinally in response to operation of the actuation element28, and then retracts towards the rear of the device body 20 tore-engage the grooves 30 of the dispensing element 24 for furtherforward advancement. The ratchet assembly 28 may further include anotherspring-loaded engagement element/backstop 34 that prevents rearwardtravel of the dispensing element 24. The grooves 30 on the dispensingelement 24 may be axially aligned along a length of the dispensingelement, such that rotation of the dispensing element disengages thegrooves 30 from the ratchet mechanism, thereby allowing a physician toquickly retract or remove the dispensing element 24 from the device 10(or alternatively, to push manually drive the dispensing element 24forward and dispense material from the cartridge 16 independently of theratchet mechanism). Such “quick-release” operation of the dispensingelement 24 facilitates ease of use of the device 10 and enables timelyexchanges and use of multiple cartridges in a single medical procedure.

Alternatively to the engaged grooves 30 and the ratchet assembly 28, thedispensing element 24 may be substantially smooth and may interact withthe actuation mechanism through compression or friction to controllablymove the dispensing element 24 as desired.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-8 , the implant preparation assembly 12provides an improved mechanism by which to deliver biologic or othermedical materials or compounds to an implant having a cage, lattice, orother structure intended for use with such medical compounds. Forexample, an implant 38 may be placed within an implant capsule 40, whichmay include one or more housing components 40, 40 b, 40 c that can bereleasably assembled to define a cavity therein to receive and enclosethe implant 38. The implant capsule 40 may include or define a pluralityof ribs 40 d on an interior surface thereof, which can aid in directingthe medical material or compound into the crevices and structure of theimplant 38.

The implant preparation assembly 12 may include an implant deliveryinstrument 42, which may include an elongate body having a knob or othercontrol means 44 at a proximal end thereof, and an implant engagementfeature 46 at a distal end thereof to releasably attach the implantdelivery instrument 42 to the implant 38. The implant engagement feature46 may include, for example, a threaded surface, a snap fit feature, orother releasable interlocking mechanism. The implant capsule 40 mayinclude or define a pathway for the implant delivery instrument 42 toattach to a corresponding feature of the implant 38. For example, theimplant capsule housing 40 c may define an aperture therethrough ofsufficient size to allow the implant delivery instrument 42 to passtherethrough and attach to a threaded surface or other complementingmatable feature on the implant 38.

The implant preparation assembly 12 may include a delivery instrumentsheath 48 that includes an elongate body with a lumen or passagewaytherethrough to receive at least a portion of the implant deliveryinstrument 42. The sheath 48 can ease or facilitate insertion of theimplant 38 into a surgical site, and may further provide a locking orresistive surface at a distal end thereof so that the implant deliveryinstrument 42 can be disengaged from the implant 38 while substantiallymaintaining the implant 38 in the desired implanted position.

The cartridge 16 may be matable or engageable with the implant capsule40 to deliver contents into an interior cavity or passage of the implant38 to substantially fill the internal structure, lattice, and/orframework of the implant 38. For example, one or more portions of thecapsule housing 40 a and/or 40 b may include a valve or other openingallowing the insertion of the distal end of the cartridge 16 therein,and subsequent operation of the delivery device 10 can inject themedical compound or material from the cartridge into the receivingportions of the implant 38. By substantially sealing the implant 38within the implant capsule 40, the delivery of medical compound from thecartridge 16 can propagate throughout the structure of the implant 38 ina substantially uniform way under a desired amount of pressure, and fillsmall spaces or regions of the implant 38 that might otherwise beinaccessible using traditional compound packing methods (e.g., usingsmall spatulas to fill an implant). Moreover, the encapsulation of theimplant 38 avoids overflow or leakage of delivered material to theimplant 38, which can reduce waste and associated cost of the medicalmaterials.

The systems and methods used herein may be utilized with various medicalcompounds deliverable through the cartridge 16. A particular cartridge16 may be pre-loaded with a compound, such as processed bone graftmaterial from a tissue bank, and provided to a physician read for use.In other situations, however, a physician may desire the use ofautograft materials that must be prepared and positioned within thecartridge in an operating room environment and/or during a procedure.

Now referring to FIGS. 9-15 , an example of a compound preparation andpacking assembly 14 for such uses is illustrated that improves loadingand retention of a mixed medical compound into the cartridge 16. Asshown in FIGS. 9-10 , the assembly 14 may generally include a primarycontainer or receptacle 50 defining a cavity 52 therein for receiving amixed medical compound. The receptacle 52 may include a substantiallytubular or cylindrical body, and the cavity 52 may comprise asubstantially cylindrical lumen or passageway extending through all or aportion of the receptacle 50. The cavity 50 may be accessible throughone or more openings in the receptacle (for example, the cavity 50 mayform a first opening at one end 50 a of the receptacle 50 and a secondopening at an opposite end 50 b of the receptacle 50). The receptacle 50may be sized and shaped to accommodate a desired volume of a medicalcompound. For example, the receptacle 50 may be sized such that thecavity 52 has a volume between approximately 2 cc and approximately 10cc. The receptacle may have a length between approximately 1 cm andapproximately 15 cm, an inner diameter between approximately 1 cm andapproximately 2 cm, and may have an outer diameter between approximately1 cm and approximately 3 cm to accommodate and provide the otherfeatures disclosed herein. The receptacle 50 may include one or moremeasurement or volumetric labels or indicators to assist in allocating adesired amount of a medical material for use.

A base 54 and a cap 56 may be included in the assembly 14 to releasablyattach to the receptacle 50 to cover or close access points or openingsto the cavity 52. The base 54 may releasably engage to the receptacle 50through a threaded surface on the end 50 b of the receptacle 50, andprovide an expanded diameter or size to stabilize and allow the assembly14 to remain upright during use. The cap 56 may releasably engage to theend 50 b of the receptacle 50 and/or the base 54 through a threadedsurface or other selectively interlocking mechanism.

The cap 56 may define one or more vents 56 a disposed therein to capturea release of gas or other pressure from an interior of the cavity 52when the cap 56 is loosened or partially retracted from the base 56and/or receptacle 50. The vents 56 a may be radially disposed about acircumference of the cap 56, and have a diameter similar to that of theinterior cavity 52 of the receptacle 50 to depressurize or otherwisereceive a portion of material or gas escaping the cavity 52.

The assembly 14 may include a funnel 57 releasably engageable to thereceptacle 50 to aid in directing a medical material or compound intothe cavity 52 of the receptacle 50. The releasable engagement may beachieved through a threaded surface or other selectively interlockingmechanism at the first end 50 a of the receptacle 50.

Now referring to FIGS. 11-12 , the assembly 14 may include a first tube58 that is sized and shaped to be slidably positioned with the cavity 52of the receptacle 50. The first tube 58 may define a generallycylindrical body with a lumen or passageway extending therethrough. Thefirst tube 58 may be sized and shaped to fit within the cavity 52 of thereceptacle 50 with marginal to substantially no space existing betweenan outer diameter of the first tube 58 and an inner wall or dimeter ofthe cavity 52. The first tube 58 may define a proximal end 58 a that isreleasably engageable with the receptacle 50 (for example, via athreaded interlock at the first end 50 a of the receptacle), and thefirst tube 58 may define a distal end 58 b having a tapered wallthickness.

Now referring to FIG. 13 a , the assembly 14 may include a second tube60 that is sized and shaped to be slidably positioned with the firsttube 58. The second tube 60 may define a generally cylindrical body witha lumen or passageway extending therethrough sized and shaped toslidably receive the cartridge 16 therein with marginal to substantiallyno space existing between an outer diameter of the cartridge 16 and aninner wall or dimeter of the passageway or lumen of the second tube 60.The second tube 60 may be sized and shaped to fit within the lumen orpassage of the first tube 58 with marginal to substantially no spaceexisting between an outer diameter of the second tube 60 and an innerwall or dimeter of the passage or lumen of the first tube 58.

The second tube 60 and the cartridge 16 may be longitudinally positionedwith respect to each other such that a distal end of the cartridge issubstantially aligned with a distal end of the second tube 60, anexample of which is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13 b. Having the distal end and opening of the cartridge 16 substantiallycoincident or adjacent the distal end and opening of the second tube 60may be used when a medical material or compound having a high degree offlowability or reduced density is being used and loaded into thecartridge 16 (as described in more detail below). A flowable medicalmaterial would be more able to traverse larger decreases in diameterbetween the receptacle 50, respective tubes 58, 60, and cartridge 16.

In alternative arrangement, the second tube 60 and the cartridge 16 maybe longitudinally positioned with respect to each other such that adistal end of the cartridge 16 is longitudinally offset from a distalend of the second tube 60, an example of which is illustrated in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 13 c . Having the distal end and opening ofthe cartridge 16 substantially offset from the distal end and opening ofthe second tube 60 aligns the respective tapering of the ends of thesecond tube 60 and the cartridge 16 to form a single, substantiallycontinuous tapered or funneled surface leading into the interior lumen18 of the cartridge. This configuration may be beneficial when a lessflowable medical material having a greater density is being used andloaded into the cartridge 16 (as described in more detail below).

The longitudinal positioning between the second tube 60 and thecartridge 16 may be achieved in a variety of different ways, includingbut not limited to employing one or more removable spacers on or aboutthe cartridge 16 and/or second tube 60, a telescoping mechanism,providing a selection of multiple cartridges and second tubes havingvarying set lengths, and/or other length augmenting components orfeatures.

A cap 62 may be releasably engageable with the second tube 60 tosecurely enclose the cartridge within the interior of the second tube60. The cap 62 may define a threaded surface or have other matableinterlocking features to attach to the second tube 60. The cap 62 may beconstructed from a force absorbing material, such as rubber, santoprene,polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like to allow a physician to exertforce on the cap 62 without resultant damage to the cartridge 16.

In an exemplary use of the compound preparation and packing assembly 14,a medical compound, mixture, or other biological material may be placedinto the cavity 52 of the receptacle 50. The receptacle 50 may becoupled to the base 54 and the cap 56, while the material may be placedinto the cavity 52 using the funnel 57 through the opposite end oropening 50 a. Once sufficient material has been loaded into thereceptacle 50, the funnel 57 may be removed, and the first tube 58 maythen be slidably inserted into the cavity 52 and maneuvered downwardtowards a bottom edge or segment of the cavity 52. Insertion of thetapered distal end 58 b into the cavity 52 of the receptacle 50 willcause the medical material to transition into and upward the internallumen or passage of the first tube 58. The first tube 58 may be securedto the receptacle through the releasably engagement coupling at theproximal end 58 a of the first tube 58. Securing the first tube 58 tothe receptacle 60 ensures that the first tube 58 is not ejected orpushed out of the receptacle 50 due to imparted forces experienced withthe subsequent insertion of the second tube 60, as described below.

The cartridge 16 may then be placed at least partially inside theinterior of the second tube 60, and the cap 62 may be secured to thesecond tube 60 to secure the assembly of these components together. Thesecond tube 60 (now containing the cartridge 16) may then be slidablyinserted into the first tube 58, and maneuvered downward towards abottom edge or segment of the first tube 58. Insertion of the tapereddistal ends of the second tube 60 and/or the cartridge 16 into thepassage of the first tube 58 will cause the medical material totransition into and upward the internal lumen 18 of the cartridge 16.

Should additional force be needed to drive the second tube 60 and/orcartridge 16 downward further into the receptacle 50, a physician coulduse a mallet or other striking took to apply force to theimpact-absorbing cap 62. Such additional force may be needed when themedical material is very finely granulated such that is partiallysolidifies together under moderate pressure. In addition and/oralternatively to striking the cap 62, the cap 56 on an underside of thebase 54 and receptacle 50 may be opened or retracted to provideadditional space for the medical material (e.g., by effectivelyexpanding the longitudinal length of the cavity 52) and/or to allow themedical material to decompress somewhat to ease loading the cartridge16.

Once the cartridge 16 has been loaded with the desired amount of medicalmaterial, the second tube 60 and the cartridge 16 may be removed fromthe receptacle 50, and the cartridge 16 may be attached to the medicaldevice 10 for subsequent dispensing of the medical material into animplant and/or surgical site.

The described method to prepare and package the medical material intothe cartridge 16 provides an atraumatic way to place the medicalmaterial into the cartridge while avoiding damaging the cells or otherbiological features of a particular compound being use, and also reducesthe likelihood of spillage or other waste that may arise fromtraditional packing methods.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentdisclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above tothe contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawingsare not to scale. Of note, the system components have been representedwhere appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing onlythose specific details that are pertinent to understanding theembodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure thedisclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.Moreover, while certain embodiments or figures described herein mayillustrate features not expressly indicated on other figures orembodiments, it is understood that the features and components of theexamples disclosed herein are not necessarily exclusive of each otherand may be included in a variety of different combinations orconfigurations without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. A variety of modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spiritof the disclosure, which is limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical compound delivery system, comprising: adelivery device, the device including a depressible trigger operablycoupled to move a plunger; a cartridge releasably coupled to thedelivery device, the cartridge defining a lumen therethrough to receiveat least a portion of the plunger therein; an implant capsule defining acavity therein configured to receive an implant, wherein the cartridgeis engageable with the implant capsule to deliver a medical compoundfrom the lumen to the cavity.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theimplant capsule defines an aperture sized and shaped to receive a distaltip of the cartridge.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantcapsule includes a plurality of housing components releasably attachableto one another.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the implant capsuleincludes at least two housing components.
 5. The system of claim 3,wherein the implant capsule includes at least three housing components.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the implant capsule defines aplurality of ribs on an interior surface thereof.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the cavity of the implant capsule is configured to receive anorthopedic prosthesis therein.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein thecavity of the implant capsule is configured to receive a spinalprosthesis therein.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising adelivery instrument releasably engageable with the implant capsule. 10.The system of claim 9, wherein the delivery instrument includes anelongated body and a knob.
 11. The system of claim 9, further comprisinga sheath slidably positioned over the delivery instrument, wherein thedelivery instrument is movable within the sheath.
 12. A method ofpreparing a medical compound for delivery, comprising: placing a medicalcompound into a cartridge; releasably securing the cartridge to adelivery device, wherein the delivery device includes a depressibletrigger operably coupled to move a plunger into the cartridge tocontrollably dispense the medical compound from the cartridge;positioning an implantable prosthesis into a cavity defined by animplant capsule; delivering the medical compound from the cartridge tothe cavity of the implant capsule; removing the prosthesis from thecavity; and implanting the prosthesis into a surgical site.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the medical compound includes bone graft.14. The method of claim 12, wherein the delivery device includes aratchet mechanism engageable with the plunger.
 15. The method of claim12, wherein the implant capsule includes a plurality of housingcomponents releasably attachable to one another.
 16. The method of claim12, wherein the prosthesis is an orthopedic prosthesis.
 17. The methodof claim 12, wherein the prosthesis is a spinal prosthesis.
 18. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising releasably engaging the implantwith a delivery instrument.